The University of Birmingham has published new ethical guidelines for the collection of patient-reported outcomes in clinical research. The guidelines aim to reduce risk and burden for participants while increasing participation in research and protecting their welfare.
A multidisciplinary research group uses magnetotactic bacteria to create nanomagnetic structures, which can be steered through the human body via external magnetic fields. They have developed a new method to measure the magnetic properties of individual nanomagnets in biological entities, enabling precise control over these structures.
The new American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guideline refines care for people with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages. The guideline recommends alternative treatments, such as intermittent pneumatic compression, and updates standard care practices.
A recent study suggests that concussion symptoms in children may be caused by multiple types of brain damage, leading to varying sets of symptoms. The research found complex relationships between brain damage and symptoms, which could lead to improved treatments for individual patients.
Researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed PlasmidMaker, an automated platform for designing and constructing plasmids. The platform uses Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute-based artificial restriction enzymes to assemble DNA fragments with greater flexibility and precision.
Researchers at Linköping University have identified the key to minimizing energy losses in organic solar cells. By studying the energy level alignment at donor/acceptor interfaces, they discovered a systematic mapping that points to new ways forward for developing more efficient and sustainable solar cell materials.
The study reveals that early animal communities exhibited complex ecological structures more than 550 million years ago, setting the stage for the Cambrian explosion. The analysis of metacommunity structure suggests competitive exclusion as the cause of the diversity drop in the late Ediacaran period.
A new US study analyzed tooth survival rates after root canals in a general population, revealing median survival time of 11.1 years. The research found disparities in longevity among geographic regions and the impact of insurance status on treatment outcomes.
A new study found that hormone replacement therapy within six months of COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with a 78% reduction in all-cause mortality in women. This suggests estrogen may offer protective effects against COVID-19 severity, explaining the lower hospitalization and death rates among women compared to men.
Researchers have developed a new national blueprint to support Australians living with chronic pain, costing the economy $139 billion annually. The 'Listen to me, learn from me' framework prioritizes person-centered care and has nine key focus areas, including pain validation and effective communication.
A new study by McGill University researchers has shed light on the complex relationships between concussion symptoms and brain damage in children. The findings suggest that certain combinations of brain injury can lead to specific symptoms, such as attention difficulties and sleep problems.
Researchers at University of Limerick developed a new sponge-like porous material capable of capturing trace amounts of benzene, a toxic pollutant, from the air with low energy consumption. The material has strong affinity for benzene and can capture it even when present at very low concentrations.
Researchers developed a novel electrostatic field ion funnel focusing technology to improve ion transmission efficiency in mass spectrometers. The new DC-ion funnel technology increased sensitivity by up to 7.3 times compared to conventional drift tubes.
Researchers have discovered a new biomarker for blood-brain barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, associated with the presence of the APOE ε4 allele. The study found that APOE ε4 dose is linked to poor brain-waste clearance through the BBB, causing iron and β-amyloid accumulation.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that scent detection dogs can accurately identify individuals with a coronavirus infection from skin swabs. The dogs' sensitivity and specificity were 92%, with only small differences in accuracy observed between individual dogs.
Australian researchers have developed a device that can generate electricity from thermal radiation using technology similar to night-vision goggles. The team successfully tested a 'thermo-radiative diode' capable of converting infrared heat into electrical power, with the potential to harness solar energy at night.
Researchers conducted an online survey of Orgasmic Meditation (OM) practitioners, collecting over 200 responses. The study found that more than 80% of participants viewed OM as similar to meditation, but not sex or fondling. OM sessions involve manual stimulation and aim to induce a meditative state.
Researchers developed a desktop air curtain system that blocks all incoming aerosol particles, effective as an indirect barrier in healthcare settings. The device's blocking effect was tested on patients during blood collection, showing promising results.
A new study found that statin users were less likely to recognize fearful faces and more likely to report them as positive, indicating reduced negative emotional bias. Statins may provide protection against depression through their effect on emotion processing, possibly due to anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Researchers have developed a magnetic refrigeration system capable of operating at extremely low temperatures to liquefy hydrogen, achieving higher efficiency than current vapor-compression refrigerators. The technology has the potential to dramatically reduce hydrogen supply costs, making it feasible for widespread adoption.
Researchers from FAU and University of Rochester demonstrate how laser pulses can induce electron waves in graphene, creating real and virtual charges that can be processed as binary logic. This technology has the potential to make future computers over a million times faster.
A team from the University of Missouri is using artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery process in materials science. By integrating machine learning algorithms and AI into traditional laboratory processes, they aim to reduce time and cost while increasing the rate of material development. Associate Professor Derek T. Ander...
A recent study published in NPJ Regenerative Medicine found that large bone injuries trigger a repair strategy recapitulating elements of skeletal formation in utero. The gene Sonic hedgehog (Shh) plays a necessary role in healing central regions, while small-scale fractures heal through a distinct program.
Scientists at KAIST have proposed a novel 'stashing system' inspired by the human brain's neural activity, which efficiently handles mathematical operations for artificial intelligence. This technology reduces power consumption by 37% while maintaining accuracy, paving the way for next-generation semiconductor chips.
International meta-analysis finds that streams and rivers' efficiency in retaining nitrates is nearly five times lower for agricultural catchments than pristine ones. Wastewater, agriculture, and urbanization are the top stressors affecting ecological functions, highlighting the need for urgent action.
The substudy of the ADVOCATE trial found avacopan reduced glucocorticoid use by 86% in ANCA-associated vasculitis patients with respiratory and ENT involvement, while also showing superiority in remission compared to prednisone.
A large randomized controlled trial found that treatment with methylprednisolone reduces the risk of kidney function loss and failure in patients with IgA nephropathy. The study's results suggest a lower dose regimen may be effective while minimizing side effects.
Researchers identified two novel biomarkers that predict response to immunotherapy and adverse events in liver cancer patients. The study's findings enable more effective and individualized treatment of primary liver cancer hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, with fewer side effects.
The discovery of a 164,000- to 131,000-year-old Denisovan tooth in Laos provides significant insights into the species' geographic range. The ancient tooth's shape and similarity to teeth found on the Tibetan Plateau suggest that Denisovans inhabited Southeast Asia, particularly northern Laos.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that a specific bacterial compound, lipopolysaccharide, induces larval marine tubeworms to settle on the seafloor and undergo metamorphosis. The discovery offers hope for coral reef restoration, mariculture, and biofouling prevention.
A new study published in the Journal of American Heart Association found that well-organized households can help mitigate cardiovascular risk factors in children who have experienced abuse. The study's results suggest that stable home environments may play a crucial role in reducing racial disparities in cardiac disease.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a machine learning algorithm that incorporates known physics into neural networks, allowing for new insights into material properties and more efficient predictions. The approach helps the algorithm attain transparency and accuracy, even with limited training data.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that private insurers paid hospitals an average of 224% of what Medicare would pay for services in 2020. The study also revealed significant price variations among states, with some paying as low as 175% and others up to 310% of Medicare prices.
The APS 2022 Convention featured virtual news briefings covering topics like the pandemic's effect on education and ethnic minorities' well-being. Researchers shared insights on coping with stress, fake news, romance, and relationships, providing valuable information for journalists and the public.
A team of researchers has developed a novel method using infrared imaging to assess glymphatic function, which is crucial for understanding neurological conditions. The technique allows for the measurement of temporal dynamics of glymphatic functions and provides insights into brain fluid exchange and clearance.
The Lancet report states that air pollution, water pollution, and chemical pollution are responsible for nine million deaths globally. Despite declining mortality from traditional pollution, industrial pollution has increased over the past two decades, offsetting these gains.
A new study found a link between increased choroid plexus volume and greater cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease. Choroid plexus volume was associated with memory loss, executive function decline, and cognitive impairment severity.
New research suggests that 62% of warming in the subtropical North Atlantic is stored in the deep ocean below 700m. The study estimates a further 0.2°C warming in the next 50 years due to climate change.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered that ATP secreted from sensory neuron-interneuron crosstalk triggers inflammation spread across joints, acting as a neurotransmitter and inflammation enhancer. Blocking this pathway prevents the spread of inflammation.
A new mathematical model predicts the efficacy of phage therapy against pathogenic bacteria, highlighting key parameters for effective treatment. The model incorporates data on bacteriophage interactions with the immune system and suggests optimizing administration routes to improve outcomes.
Researchers found signs of concussions and head trauma in the brains of deceased headbutting muskoxen and bighorn sheep. The study provides insights into human injuries and opens the possibility that studying these animals could help researchers understand and reduce traumatic brain injuries.
A new approach using artificial intelligence generates designs automatically, allowing researchers to create complex metasurfaces with billions of nanopillars. This enables the development of larger, more complex metalenses for virtual reality and augmented reality systems.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine used optogenetic techniques to stimulate specific brain cells, increasing production of neural stem cells and neurons relevant to memory and emotion processing. This promoted neurogenesis, altering anxiety-like behaviors in mice.
A national study found that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine prevented 8.7 million symptomatic cases, 690,000 hospitalizations, and 110,000 deaths in the US. The vaccine also saved more than $30 billion in healthcare costs and over $40 billion in lost productivity.
New research published in CMAJ found that 11% of patients discharged from COVID-19 hospitalization were readmitted or died within 30 days. Notably, the rates of readmission were consistent with admissions for other medical conditions.
A new study found that deaths from alcohol use disorder increased dramatically during the pandemic, with a 25% higher rate in 2020 and 22% higher in 2021 compared to projected rates. Young adults aged 25-44 experienced the steepest upward trend in alcohol use disorder mortality.
Plazi receives EUR 1.5 million grant from Arcadia Fund to develop Biodiversity Literature Repository (BLR), providing access to over 750,000 taxonomic treatments, figures, and material citations. The project aims to liberate data from scientific publications, making it FAIR and open for researchers.
A physicist at TU Graz has developed a three-in-one hybrid material that reacts to force, moisture and temperature with high spatial resolution. The smart skin has potential applications in robotics, smart prosthetics and healthcare, and its production can be easily scaled and implemented.
A team of Georgia State researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to eliminate the Avpr1a receptor in hamsters, leading to unexpected changes in their social behavior. The study found that knocking out the receptor increased social communication behaviors and eliminated sex differences in aggression.
Researchers developed a real-time polarized infrared spectroscopy technique to study metal-organic frameworks and guest molecule interactions. This method provides insights into host-guest and guest-host interactions, enabling the development of high-performance porous materials.
Two new species of Amazonian fish have been discovered and described by Smithsonian researcher Murilo Pastana, one with vibrant red-orange fins and another that is technically a miniature fish. The species are at risk of extinction due to deforestation in the region where they inhabit.
Researchers at Stockholm University have identified a novel mechanism for regulating the supply of DNA building blocks, providing a potential new target for designing better antibiotics. By targeting the pathogen's ability to reproduce, scientists may be able to control the growth of bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
A new modeling framework suggests that some microbial ecosystems are more easily understood through coarse-graining, which involves omitting details. This approach could help biologists study microbes in their natural environments, rather than isolating them in a petri dish.
Researchers found that people living with SCD have more medical appointments and urgent care visits, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs of $1,300 annually. The study suggests that curative therapies could reduce these costs, but accessing them will depend on conversations among policymakers, insurers, and patients.
Researchers at HKU have discovered a novel cellular and molecular interaction between cancer cells and tumour-associated macrophages that promote peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer. The study reveals that Wnt/b-catenin signalling upregulates the expression of metadherin, which communicates with macrophages through CEACAM1.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a design optimization system to incorporate blood vessel-like cooling networks into battery packaging for electric vehicles. The system balances performance-enhancing factors against problematic variables like weight and thermal activity to provide the best battery package specifications.
A new IU study found misconceptions about naloxone, such as it encourages more drug use, despite widespread belief that trained bystanders can prevent overdoses. The study suggests that addressing these misperceptions is crucial to increase naloxone distribution and overdose education programs.
Researchers and academics from the UK and Germany come together to discuss therapeutic footwear for people with diabetes. The workshop aims to establish new research links and develop research capacity to improve the lives of those affected.
A new nanosensor platform uses machine learning to analyze spectral signatures of carbon nanotubes for early detection of ovarian cancer. The approach detects biomarkers and recognizes the cancer itself, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods.
A University of Gothenburg study found that midwives' job satisfaction is linked to possibilities for development, role conflict resolution, and burnout avoidance. The research highlights the importance of quality work, recognition, and autonomy in midwives' occupational roles.